Abdominal squat machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing abdominal and squat exercises is provided with a frame having a support member, a first end and a second end that operate to provide horizontal stabilization, and at least two leg securing bars extending substantially transversely from the frame of the apparatus. A first leg securing bar may be disposed at a first location along the frame, and a second leg securing bar may be disposed at a second location along the frame such that the arrangement of the leg securing bars in the first and second locations permits the apparatus to operate as an exercise device for abdominal and squat exercises. A user of the apparatus may position one or more legs in between the leg securing bars and perform abdominal and squat exercises without having to readjust the leg securing bars and without having to move one or more feet thereof in between routines.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/398,648, filed Jun. 29, 2010, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise machines, in particular,exercise machines providing combined abdominal and squat routines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Abdominal and squat exercises are an essential part of a properstrengthening routine. Abdominal exercises such as crunches and sit-upsprovide resistance to the abdominal muscles including the rectusabdominus and external obliques. Sit-ups and crunches are commonlyperformed on the ground as the torso is pulled from a supine position toa semi-inclined position by contracting the abdominal muscles.Alternately, some machines have been developed to assist with sit-upsand crunches that similarly provide resistance to the abdominal musclesduring contraction. Additionally, passive apparatus such as an inclinedbench may further concentrate abdominal resistance to a specific regionand limit inadvertent secondary assist muscle use.

Squat exercises provide resistance primarily to the quadriceps,hamstrings, gluteals, hip flexors and calf muscles. Most commonly, squatexercises are performed utilizing a straight barbell with free-weightsadded equally to opposing ends of the barbell. The barbell is placedrelatively behind the neck on the trapezius muscle. The bar is loaded onthe trapezius muscle while in the standing position, with ones kneesslightly bent, and a downward moving phase begins in which the body isslowly lowered to the floor by bending at the hips and knees. Once theupper legs are almost parallel to the floor, the upward phase begins byexerting force on the ground with the legs, straightening them to returnto the standing position.

The conventional abdominal and squat exercises are performed separately,adding additional time to the workout. Furthermore, the conventionalabdominal and squat exercises each have limited success due toinadvertent errors and/or positioning. Proper form is essential to bothtypes of exercises and a lack thereof can even lead to serious injury.Squat exercises often require a spotter (second person assisting andmonitoring the primary exerciser) to provide assistance in the eventthat the exerciser fails. As a result, this type of exercise is seldomperformed by a single exerciser. The squat also requires frequentlyadding and removing weights between sets. Frequent injuries to the kneesare common due to the tremendous amount of strain focused in the kneearea from the barbell and weights. Squat assist machines such as theSmith Press and abdominal assist machines are large and costly andtherefore are usually only found in commercial gymnasiums. As a result,it is necessary to travel and pay for membership at fitness centers togain the ability to perform these routines.

Thus, it would therefore be desirable to provide an apparatus thatoperates to permit a user of the apparatus to perform squat andabdominal exercise routines with seamless transition between squat andabdominal routines without having to adjust/modify the apparatus whenswitching between such routines. The present invention provides a novelapparatus for simultaneously performing both abdominal and squatexercises that overcomes the inherent disadvantages associated with theconventional designs and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, anapparatus for performing abdominal and squat exercises is provided witha frame having a support member, a first end and a second end thatoperate to provide horizontal stabilization, and at least two legsecuring bars extending substantially transversely from the frame of theapparatus. A first leg securing bar may be disposed at a first locationalong the frame, and a second leg securing bar may be disposed at asecond location along the frame such that the arrangement of the legsecuring bars in the first and second locations permits the apparatus tooperate as an exercise device for abdominal and squat exercises. A userof the apparatus may position one or more legs in between the legsecuring bars and perform abdominal and squat exercises without havingto readjust the leg securing bars and without having to move one or morefeet thereof in between routines. The present invention of the instantapplication allows for cost reduction associated with employing, buying,maintaining, etc. exercise machines because both abdominal and squatexercise routines may be performed thereon without having toadjust/modify any settings (e.g., the position of first leg securingbar, the position of second leg securing bar, the position of a seat,etc.) when transitioning between such routines, and provides forefficient use of space (e.g., because only one machine is needed toperform abdominal and squat exercises rather than two machines).

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, anapparatus for performing abdominal and squat exercises, the apparatusincludes: a frame having a support member, a first end and a second end,the support member extending between the first and second ends apredetermined length, the first and second ends being sized and shapedsuch that the first and second ends operate to provide horizontalstabilization to the frame; and at least two leg securing bars extendingsubstantially transversely from the frame, a first leg securing bar ofthe at least two leg securing bars being disposed at a firstpredetermined location along the frame and a second leg securing bar ofthe at least two leg securing bars being disposed at a secondpredetermined location along the frame such that the arrangement of theat least two leg securing bars in the first and second predeterminedlocations permits the apparatus to operate as an exercise device forboth one or more abdominal exercises and one or more squat exercises.

The at least two leg securing bars may operate to: (i) permit a user ofthe apparatus to position one or more legs of the user in between the atleast two leg securing bars and to perform the one or more abdominalexercises and the one or more squat exercises without having to readjustor modify the position of the at least two leg securing bars; and (ii)retain one or more feet of the user in substantially the same positionwhen the user is performing the one or more abdominal exercises and theone or more squat exercises. The first leg securing bar may operate tosupport one or more calf muscles and/or one or more knees of the user,and the second leg securing bar may operate to support one or more feet,one or more shins and/or one or more ankles of the user. The first legsecuring bar and second leg securing bar may operate to retain one ormore feet of the user at least one of: substantially flat on the floor,substantially on the floor, substantially on the floor and partially ona portion of the first end, and substantially on the floor and partiallyon a portion of the second end. The first and second leg securing barsmay operate to prevent movement of the one or more legs of the userduring operation, focusing the exercise resistance on the targetedmuscles. The first leg securing bar: (i) may be disposed on the supportmember proximately to where the second end is joined to the supportmember; (ii) may extend outwardly from each side surface of the supportmember in opposite directions; and (iii) may have mounted on oppositefree ends thereof a pair of foam or vinyl pads each having a centralbore that operates to receive the first leg securing bar therein. Thesecond leg securing bar: (i) may be disposed on a lower portion of thesecond end; (ii) may extend outwardly from each side of the second endin opposite directions; and (iii) may have mounted on opposite free endsthereof a pair of foam or vinyl pads each having a central bore thatoperates to receive the second leg securing bar therein. The first legsecuring bar may be permanently affixed to the support member in thepredetermined first location. The second leg securing bar may operate tobe freely slideably engaged with the second end of the frame when nolateral force or pressure is applied thereto and may operate to beretained in the predetermined second location when a lateral force orpressure is applied by the one or more legs of the user. The first legsecuring bar may operate to be slideably adjustable along a trackportion of the support member and the second leg securing bar mayoperate to be slideably adjustable along a second track portion of thetelescoping member, the track portion of the support member being formedalong the length of the support member and having at least one hole inthe support member and the second track portion of the telescopingmember being formed along the length of the telescoping member andhaving at least one hole in the telescoping member.

The first and second leg securing bars may be each affixed to respectiveadjustment brackets each having a space therethrough and a central boretherein, the adjustment bracket of the first leg securing bar operatingto receive the support member therein and to be slideably engaged withthe track portion of the support member, the adjustment bracket of thesecond leg securing bar operating to receive the telescoping membertherein and to be slideably engaged with the second track portion of thetelescoping member. The first leg securing bar and the track portion ofthe support member may operate to be releasably coupled together and/ordisengaged with an engaging pin being disposed in and/or removed fromthe at least one hole of the track portion and the central bore of theadjustment bracket of the first leg securing bar such that the pinextends into and/or is removed from an internal bore of the supportmember of the tubular frame. The second leg securing bar and the secondtrack portion of the telescoping member may operate to be releasablycoupled together and/or disengaged with another engaging pin beingdisposed in and/or removed from the at least one hole of the secondtrack portion and the central bore of the adjustment bracket of thesecond leg securing bar such that the pin extends into and/or is removedfrom an internal bore of the telescoping member.

The frame may operate to direct resistance to the abdominal muscles andleg muscles of the user by focusing the body mass of the user into atraining resistance routine. The first and second ends of the frame mayeach have a substantially transverse member extending laterallytherefrom and being sized and shaped such that the respective transversemembers of the first and second ends operate to provide furtherhorizontal stabilization to the frame. The frame may be tubular suchthat the support member and the first and second ends include top,bottom and side surfaces. At least one of the first and second ends maybe angled outwardly in relation to the support member. The second endmay include a telescoping member extending substantially collinearlytherefrom, and the telescoping member may have a member extendingsubstantially transverse therefrom such that the telescoping member andthe substantially transverse member are substantially L-shaped orsubstantially T-shaped. The telescoping member may be sized and shapedto fit into the tubular second end, and the tubular second end mayoperate to telescope over the telescoping member as the telescopingmember slides into the tubular second end, thereby decreasing a heightof the frame, and out of the tubular second end, thereby increasing theheight of the frame. The telescoping member and the tubular second endmay operate to be releasably coupled together and/or disengaged with anengaging pin being disposed in and/or removed from at least one hole ofthe telescoping member and at least one hole of the second end when theat least one holes are aligned and the pin extends into and/or isremoved from an internal bore of the second end of the tubular frame andan internal bore of the telescoping member. The first end of the framemay be shorter in length than the second end of the frame, and the firstand second ends of the frame may be angulated such that the supportmember is oriented in a slightly declined manner in a direction from thesecond end of the frame to the first end of the frame.

The height of the frame may be adjustable to dispose a center of gravityof the user of the apparatus inwardly of the first end such that thesecond end of the apparatus will remain on the floor during the exerciseroutine(s) of the user. The height of the frame and/or a height of theapparatus may be at least: about 15 inches; 15 inches-about 17⅝ inches;about 17⅝ inches. A length of the frame and/or a length of the apparatusmay be at least: about 28⅞ inches; about 28⅞ inches-about 40¼ inches;about 40¼ inches.

The apparatus may further include a handle locking mechanism disposed onthe telescoping second end. The handle locking mechanism may have ahandle pivotally attached to a pair of mounting posts extendingsubstantially perpendicularly from the telescoping second end and to apin extending between the mounting posts, the pin operating to couplethe handle to the mounting posts and to a spring that operates to bias afirst end of the handle away from, and a second end of the handletowards, the telescoping second end such that a locking pin disposed on,and extending substantially perpendicularly from, the second end of thehandle is similarly biased towards the telescoping second end of theframe and operates to selectively engage one of a plurality of spacedapart holes collinearly positioned along a surface of the telescopingmember and an engagement hole of the telescoping second end of theframe, wherein the handle locking mechanism operates to couple thetelescoping second end of the frame with the telescoping member, therebylimiting extension and/or refraction of the telescoping member when thelocking pin is engaged with the one of the plurality of holes and theengagement hole of the telescoping second end of the frame, and todecouple the telescoping member and the telescoping second end of theframe when a downward pressure is applied to the first end of the handleto overcome the force of the spring and to remove the locking pin fromthe engagement hole of the telescoping second end of the frame and theone of the plurality of holes of the telescoping member.

The apparatus may include a seat disposed on the support member suchthat the seat operates to support a user of the apparatus. The seat maybe affixed to an adjustment bracket having a space therethrough forreceiving the support member and being slideably engaged with the trackportion of the support member, the adjustment bracket having a centralbore therein, wherein the seat and the track portion operate to bereleasably coupled together and/or disengaged from each other with anengaging pin being disposed in and/or removed from the at least one holeof the track portion and the central bore of the adjustment bracket suchthat the pin extends into and/or is removed from an internal bore of thesupport member of the tubular frame.

Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to oneskilled in the art when the description of the invention herein is takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention,wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there are shown in thedrawings simplified forms that may be employed, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited by or to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown, but rather only by the claims.To assist those of ordinary skill in the relevant art in making andusing the subject matter hereof, reference is made to the appendeddrawings and figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the abdominal squat machine formedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the abdominal squat machine formedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front perspective view of the telescoping end ofthe abdominal squad machine formed in accordance with a first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side perspective view of the handle lockingmechanism of the abdominal squat machine formed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the handle locking mechanism of theabdominal squat machine formed in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side perspective view of the adjustment bracket ofthe abdominal squat machine formed in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the abdominal squat machine formed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the abdominal squat machine formed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the abdominal squat machine formedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of two abdominal squat machines formed inaccordance with at least another two embodiments of the presentinvention, showing the preferred dimensions of the abdominal squatmachines in each embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the abdominal squat machine withan unstable center of gravity.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the abdominal squat machine formedin accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention,showing an unstable center of gravity.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the abdominal squat machine formedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,showing an elongated frame with a stable center of gravity.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the abdominal squat machine formed inaccordance with at least another embodiment of the present invention,showing a slideable second leg securing bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a combined abdominal and squat machine 2.The abdominal squat machine 2 formed in accordance with the presentinvention is a passive exercise machine. More specifically, the machinedirects resistance to the abdominal muscles and leg muscles of theexerciser by focusing the natural body mass of the user into a trainingresistance routine without the need of additional weights, pulleys orsimilar tensioning devices.

As can be seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the abdominal squat machineformed in accordance with the present invention includes a tubular frame4 having an angulated first end 6 and oppositely disposed angulatedtelescoping second end 8, interconnected by a primary support member 10.The angulated first end 6, being preferably relatively shorter in lengththan the second end 8, is angled outwardly in relation to the primarysupport member 10. The longer telescoping second end 8 is alsopreferably outwardly angled in relation to the primary support member10, opposite the angle of the first end 6, to orient the primary supportmember 10 in a slightly declined manner in a direction from the secondend 8 to the first end 6, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The primary support member 10 further includes a top surface 12,oppositely disposed bottom surface 13 and side surfaces 14; the topsurface 12, bottom surface 13 and side surfaces 14 defining an internalbore 15 (not shown). A seat 16 may be selectively adjusted and engagedalong a track portion 18 formed along the length of the primary supportmember 10. The seat 16 and track portion 18 may be selectively coupledtogether by engaging a pin 100 into one of a plurality of spaced apartholes 102 collinearly positioned along the bottom surface 13 of theprimary support member 10, the holes 102 extending through the bottomsurface 13 into the internal bore 15 of the primary support member 10.

More specifically, the seat 16 having a top cushioned surface 104 forsupporting a user and a oppositely disposed bottom surface 105, mayfurther include an adjustment bracket 106 extending perpendicularly fromthe bottom surface 105. The adjustment bracket 106 preferably includes apair of oppositely disposed sidewalls 108, the sidewalls 108 having afirst end 110 (not shown), the first end 110 being in communication withthe bottom surface 105 of the seat 16, and a second end 112, the secondend 112 extending downwardly from the first end 110. The second ends 112of the sidewalls 108 may be interconnected by a bottom adjustment plate114 spanning the separation between sidewalls 108 and having a centralbore 116 (not shown) formed therethrough for receiving the pin 100 topermit the nose 120 of the pin 100 to be received by a selected hole 102of the primary support member 10 in order to selectively lock theadjustment bracket 106 and the seat 16 affixed thereto in a desiredposition on the track portion 18 of the primary support member 10. Thesidewalls 108 and adjustment plate 114 are preferably dimensioned todefine therebetween a space 117 (not shown) for receiving the primarysupport member 10, the adjustment bracket 106 and seat 16 attachedthereto thereby being movable along the length of the track portion.

The adjustment plate 114 further includes an engagement pin collar 124having a central bore 126 (not shown) for receiving the pin 100, the pincollar 124 being aligned with the central bore 116 of the plate 114 andextending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom. The pin 100 furthercomprises a handle 118 and a hole engagement nose 120, the holeengagement nose 120 being interconnected to the handle by a shaft 122,the shaft 122 being received by and axially movable within the collar124. The handle 118, being axially extendable from a distal end 128 (notshown) of the collar 124, may be pulled downwardly to compress a conicalspring 132 surrounding a portion of the shaft extending from the centralbore between the adjustment plate 114 and the hole engagement nose 120,the hole engagement nose 120 thereby being moveable within a spacebetween the track portion 18 and the adjustment plate 114. The conicalspring 132, in an uncompressed state, provides an upward force on thehole engagement nose 120, pushing it towards the bottom surface 13 ofthe primary support member 10 and track portion 18. Alternatively, thehandle 118 may be axially refracted from the collar 124, pulling thehole engagement nose 120 downwardly towards the adjustment plate 114 andthereby compressing the conical spring 132.

The seat 16 and adjustable bracket 106 attached thereto may beselectively moved along the track portion 18 to a desired positionconforming to the user's body size by retracting the handle 118 of pin100 outwardly to disengage the hole engagement nose 120 from a hole 102within the track portion 18. For example, a taller user might find itnecessary to move the seat 16 further towards the first end 6 of theframe 4, while a smaller user might position the seat 16 relativelycloser to the telescoping end 8 of the frame 4. Once such a position isfound, the central bore 116 of the adjustment plate 114 is aligned withone of the holes 102 of the track portion 18 and the handle 118 isreleased. The conical spring 132, now in an uncompressed state, forcesthe hole engagement nose 120 into an aligned hole 102, coupling theadjustable bracket 106, and seat 16 attached thereto, to the primarysupport member 10.

The telescoping end 8 of the frame 4 includes a top surface 44,oppositely disposed bottom surface 46 and a pair of side walls 48,defining an inner bore 50 for receiving a telescoping member 52. Thetelescoping member 52 having a first end 54, oppositely disposed secondend 78, and a pair of parallel sidewalls 49, the telescoping member 52being extendable and retractable within the central bore 50 of thetelescoping end 8. Preferably, the telescoping member 52 is slightlylonger than the telescoping end 8. The telescoping member 52 furtherincludes a support member 58 perpendicularly affixed to the second end78 thereof. The support member 58 is preferably L-shaped and provideshorizontal stabilization to the frame 4 (e.g., by engaging the ground, asurface, etc.). The support member 58 has at least one end 56 thereof(best seen in FIG. 3).

In a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and7 of the drawings, the telescoping member 52 may be extended orretracted from the telescoping end 8 to increase or decrease the degreeof declination of the primary support member 10 and adjusted based uponthe height of the user. For example, a 6′6″ user 810 (best seen in FIG.8) may employ the apparatus in the highest position 710 (best seen inFIGS. 7-8), and a 5′4″ user 820 (best seen in FIG. 8) may employ theapparatus in the lowest position 720 (best seen in FIGS. 7-8). Thetelescoping member 52 and telescoping end 8 may be coupled together byengaging a pin 60 in one of a plurality of spaced apart holes 62collinearly located through the side walls 48 of the telescoping end 8and through a pair of holes 51 in the parallel side walls 49 of thetelescoping member 52. More specifically, the telescoping member 52 isextended or retracted to a desired amount and the holes 62 through thetelescoping end 8 and telescoping member 52 are aligned. The pin 60 isinserted through the aligned holes, coupling the telescoping end 8 andtelescoping member 52, limiting further extension and/or retraction.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the telescoping end8 may include a handle locking mechanism 90, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 ofthe drawings. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle locking mechanism 90is assembled on the top surface 44 of the telescoping end 8. In anengaged state, the locking mechanism 90 couples the telescoping end 8with the telescoping member 52, limiting extension and/or retraction.

More specifically, the handle locking mechanism 90 includes a handle 92,the handle having a first end 94 and an oppositely disposed second end96. The handle 92 is preferably pivotally attached to a pair of mountingposts 98 extending perpendicularly from the top surface 44 of thetelescoping end 8. The mounting posts 98 further include a pair of holes300 at a free-end 302 thereof. The handle 92, further including a bottomsurface 304, top surface 306, and opposite sidewalls 308, is pivotallyattached to the mounting posts 98 by inserting a pin 310 through a pairof holes 312 in its sidewalls. A pair of spacers 314 and a spring 316,the spacers 314 being positioned on opposite sides of the spring 316,are aligned with the sidewall holes 312 and mounting post holes 300.Preferably, the spacers 314 and spring 316 are positioned between thetwo mounting posts 98. The pin 310, having a headed end 318 andoppositely disposed grooved end 320, the ends 318, 320 beinginterconnected by a shaft 322, is inserted through the sidewall holes312 of the handle, mounting post holes 300, spacers 314 and spring 316.A locking C-ring 324 is inserted onto the grooved end 320 of the pin 310exiting the sidewall 308 of the handle, coupling the handle 92 to thetelescoping end 8.

A locking pin 324 extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface 304of the handle's second end 96 may selectively engage one of a pluralityof spaced apart holes 326 collinearly positioned along the top surface328 of the telescoping member 52, the holes 326 extending through a topsurface of the telescoping member 52 into an internal bore 329 therein.More specifically, in an uncompressed state, the force of the spring 316on the first end of the handle and the top surface 44 of the telescopicend 8 pushes the second end 96 of the handle and locking pin 324attached thereto inwardly towards the top surface 44. The locking pin324 is inserted through an engagement hole 330 on the top surface 44 ofthe telescopic end 8 and into one of the holes 326 on the top surface ofthe telescoping member 52, coupling the telescoping member 52 to thetelescoping end 8. To decouple the telescoping member 52 and telescopingend 8, downward pressure is applied to the first end 94 of the handle toovercome the force of the spring, and the locking pin 324 is removedfrom the engagement hole 330 and hole 326 in the top surface 328 of thetelescoping member.

A pair of leg securing bars 64 prevents movement of the user's legsduring operation, focusing the exercise resistance on the targetedmuscles. More specifically, a first leg securing bar 66 is preferablysituated to rest on the top surface 12 of the primary support member 10,near to where the telescoping end 8 is joined to the primary supportmember. The first leg securing bar 66 extends outwardly from each sidewall 14 of the primary support member 10 in opposite directions. Thefirst leg securing bar 66 preferably has mounted on the opposite freeends thereof a pair of foam or vinyl pads 72 having a central bore 74that receives the first leg securing bar 66. More specifically, the foampads 72 are optimally placed on opposite sides of the first leg securingbar 66 so that they are oriented on opposing sides of the primarysupport member 10. The foam pads 72 provide comfort to the user and arepositioned behind the upper portion of a user's calf muscles.

A second leg securing bar 76, having structure similar to that of thefirst leg securing bar 66 and also having foam pads 72 mounted thereonin a similar manner, is positioned along a lower portion 78 of thetelescoping member 52, and is preferably situated to rest on a bottomsurface 80 thereof. The second leg securing bar 76 is preferablypositioned in front of the user's ankles.

The first leg securing bar 66 and second leg securing bar 76 may beselectively adjustable along the primary support member track portion 18and a second track portion 332 along the top surface 328 of thetelescoping member 52, respectively. More specifically, as shown in FIG.6 of the drawings, the securing bars 66, 76 each further include anadjustment bracket 206. The adjustment bracket 206 preferably includes apair of oppositely disposed sidewalls 208, the sidewalls 208 having afirst end 210, the first ends 210 being interconnected by a top plate234, and a second end 212, the second ends 212 extending downwardly fromthe first ends 210. The second ends 212 of the sidewalls 208 may beinterconnected by an adjustment plate 214 having a central bore 216 forreceiving a pin 100 to selectively engage adjustment bracket 206 withthe track portion 18 on the primary support member 10 and the trackportion 332 on the telescoping member 52. The sidewalls 208 andadjustment plate 214 are preferably dimensioned to define a space 215for receiving the primary support member 10, with respect to the firstleg securing bar 66, and telescoping member 52, with respect to thesecond leg securing bar 76, the adjustment brackets 206 thereby beingmovable thereon.

The adjustment plate 214 further includes an engagement pin collar 224having a central bore 226 (not shown) for receiving the pin 100, the pincollar 224 being aligned with the central bore 216 of the plate 214 andextending perpendicularly outwardly therefrom. The pin shaft 122 isreceived and axially movable within the collar 224. The handle 118,being axially retractable from a distal end 228 of the collar 224, maybe pulled outwardly from the adjustable plate 214 to compress a conicalspring 132 surrounding a portion of the shaft extending from the centralbore between the adjustment plate 214 and the hole engagement nose 120,the hole engagement nose 120 thereby being moveable within the space 215between the track portions 18, 332 and the adjustment plates 214.

With respect to the first leg securing bar 66, the conical spring 132,in an uncompressed state 334 (best seen in FIG. 6), provides a force onthe hole engagement nose 120, pushing it towards the bottom surface 13of the primary support member 10 and track portion 18. Alternatively,the handle 118 may be axially extended from the collar 224, pulling thehole engagement nose 120 downwardly towards the adjustment plate 214 andthereby compressing the conical spring 132.

The first leg securing bar 66 and adjustable bracket 206 attachedthereto may be selectively moved along the track portion 18 to a desiredposition conforming to the user's body size by pulling the handle 118 ofpin 200 outwardly to disengage the hole engagement nose 120 from a hole102 within the track portion 18. Once such a position is found, thecentral bore 216 of the adjustment plate 214 is aligned with one of theholes 102 of the track portion 18 and the handle 118 is released. Theconical spring 132, now in an uncompressed state, forces the holeengagement nose 120 into an aligned hole 102, coupling the adjustablebracket 206 and first leg securing bar 66 attached thereto to theprimary support member 10.

Similarly, with respect to the second leg securing bar 76, theadjustable bracket 206 may be selectively engaged with one of theplurality of spaced apart holes 326 collinearly positioned along thetrack portion 332 on the top surface of the telescoping member 52.

In at least a further embodiment, the second leg securing bar 76, andthe bracket 206 therefor, may operate to slide freely along thetelescoping second end 8 and/or the telescoping member 52 of theapparatus (e.g., by not using the pin 100, 200 to lock the bracket 206of the second leg securing bar 76 into the holes 326 along the topsurface 328 of the telescoping member 52). Indeed, a user may slide thesecond leg securing bar 76 and the pads therefor 72 to a predeterminedlocation based on one or more of the user's anatomy, exercise routine,transition between routines, etc., and the second leg securing bar 76may be freely moved by the user as desired. When the user positions hisor her legs and/or ankles proximately to the second leg securing bar 76,the force of such application is sufficient to hold the second legsecuring bar 76 and/or the pads 72 in place for the duration of theexercise routine.

During operation, a user positions the seat 16 to the desired position.Making reference to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the user may extend orretract the telescoping member 52 to a desired position by engagingand/or disengaging the handle locking mechanism 90. Now referencing FIG.8, the first leg securing bar 66 is positioned to the upper portion ofthe calf muscle. The second leg securing bar 76 is positioned in frontof the ankles while the user's feet are positioned flat on the floor. Inat least one or more embodiments, the user may seamlessly transitionbetween the squat position (see e.g., FIG. 8) and the abdominal routineposition (see e.g., FIG. 9) while keeping the user's feet insubstantially the same position, e.g., the user's feet may be positionedsubstantially flat on the floor, substantially on the floor,substantially on the floor and partially on a portion of the supportmember 58, etc. The user 810, 820 may then sit on the seat 16 anddecline his body to a start position, as shown in FIG. 9 of thedrawings.

Now referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, the preferred dimensions ofthe abdominal squat machine for two embodiments formed in accordancewith the present invention are as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10,the first leg securing bar 66 for use with a user's knees may bedisposed in a predetermined location, and the first leg securing bar 66may be disposed in a fixed position such that the first leg securing bar66 may not move during operation, between routines, for different users,etc. The height 1030 of the left embodiment in FIG. 10 may be about 15inches; 15 inches-about 17⅝ inches; about 17⅝ inches (as shown in FIG.10). The length 1010 of the frame and/or the apparatus of the leftembodiment in FIG. 10 may be about 28⅞ inches (as shown in FIG. 10);about 28⅞ inches-about 40¼ inches; about 40¼ inches. The height 1040 ofthe right embodiment in FIG. 10 may be about 15 inches (as shown in FIG.10); 15 inches-about 17⅝ inches; about 17⅝ inches, and the length 1020of the frame and/or apparatus of the right embodiment in FIG. 10 may beabout 28⅞ inches; about 28⅞ inches-about 40¼ inches; about 40¼ inches(as shown in FIG. 10).

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the center of gravity 1100 of the user ispreferably inward of the first end 6. When the center of gravity vector1100 is not inward of the first end 6 (e.g., is located 9 inches to theleft of the first end 6 as shown in FIG. 11), the first end 6 may bemoved to a new location (e.g., more than 9 inches to the left, threeinches beyond the center of gravity 1100 so that the first end is nowtwelve inches from its previous position, etc.) such that the first end6′ is now outside of the center of gravity vector 1100. FIG. 12 depictsthe center of gravity 1100 being located to the left of the first end 6such that the user may be in an unstable position. FIG. 13 illustratesthe center of gravity 1100 being located within (i.e., to the right of)the first end 6 such that the user is able to exercise in a stableposition. Because the apparatus is adjustable in such a fashion, theapparatus allows the user to safely use the apparatus (also referred toas an exercise machine) without the second end 8 lifting off the flooron which the exercise machine rests. The user may employ weights, suchas barbells 1120, when using the apparatus 2 as well.

During the exercise routine of the present invention, the user moves ina single continuous motion from the supine position to the standingposition by contracting the target muscles. The user then slowly returnsto the declined position by releasing the muscles. The first securingbar 66 and the second securing bar 76 relieve tension on the knees,limiting inadvertent injury. The seamless transition between the supineposition and the standing position (and vice versa) permits a user tobenefit from the multi-functional exercise apparatus (i.e., theapparatus permits the user to perform various routines, e.g., abdominaland squat routines, whereas the user would otherwise have to usemultiple, separate exercise machines to achieve such operation). Theuser may further benefit by one or more embodiments of the apparatusbecause the user may perform both the squat and abdominal exerciseroutines without having to adjust/modify any settings (e.g., theposition of first leg securing bar 66, the position of second legsecuring bar 76, the position of seat 16, etc.) of the apparatus. Thus,the apparatus is economical because only one apparatus is needed toperform abdominal and squat routines, and the apparatus provides ease ofuse for a user since settings do not need to be modified whentransitioning between such routines.

As shown in FIG. 14, the second leg securing bar 76 of the apparatus 2may operate to be freely slideably engaged with the second end 8 of theframe 4 and/or the telescoping member 52 when no lateral force orpressure is applied thereto. The second leg securing bar 76 of theapparatus 2 may operate to be retained in a predetermined secondlocation when a lateral force or pressure is applied by the one or morelegs of the user. The second leg securing bar 76 may operate to beslideably adjustable along a second track portion of the telescopingmember 52. For example, in at least one embodiment, the second legsecuring bar 76 may be attached to a bracket 208, and bracket 208 mayslide freely on the second 8 of the frame 4 and/or the telescopingmember 52 (e.g., no pin 100 retains the bracket 208 in place, thebracket 208 is not fastened/secured in place without the lateral forceor pressure provided by the legs, ankles, shins, etc. of the user of theapparatus 2, etc.). Additionally, the first leg securing bar 66 maypermanently affixed to the frame 4 (e.g., to support member 10 of frame4) in the predetermined first location.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

1. An apparatus for performing abdominal and squat exercises, theapparatus comprising: a frame having a support member, a first end and asecond end, the support member extending between the first and secondends a predetermined length, the first and second ends being sized andshaped such that the first and second ends operate to provide horizontalstabilization to the frame; and at least two leg securing bars extendingsubstantially transversely from the frame, a first leg securing bar ofthe at least two leg securing bars being disposed at a firstpredetermined location along the frame and a second leg securing bar ofthe at least two leg securing bars being disposed at a secondpredetermined location along the frame such that the arrangement of theat least two leg securing bars in the first and second predeterminedlocations permits the apparatus to operate as an exercise device forboth one or more abdominal exercises and one or more squat exercises. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two leg securing barsoperate to: (i) permit a user of the apparatus to position one or morelegs of the user in between the at least two leg securing bars and toperform the one or more abdominal exercises and the one or more squatexercises without having to readjust or modify the position of the atleast two leg securing bars; and (ii) retain one or more feet of theuser in substantially the same position when the user is performing theone or more abdominal exercises and the one or more squat exercises. 3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of: (i) the first legsecuring bar operates to support one or more calf muscles and/or one ormore knees of the user, and the second leg securing bar operates tosupport the one or more feet, one or more shins and/or one or moreankles of the user; (ii) the first leg securing bar and second legsecuring bar operate to retain the one or more feet of the user at leastone of: substantially flat on the floor, substantially on the floor,substantially on the floor and partially on a portion of the first end,and substantially on the floor and partially on a portion of the secondend; (iii) the first and second leg securing bars operate to preventmovement of the one or more legs of the user during operation, focusingthe exercise resistance on the targeted muscles; and (iv) the frameoperates to direct resistance to the abdominal muscles and leg musclesof the user by focusing the body mass of the user into a trainingresistance routine.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first andsecond ends each have a substantially transverse member extendinglaterally therefrom and being sized and shaped such that the respectivetransverse members of the first and second ends operate to providefurther horizontal stabilization to the frame.
 5. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the frame is tubular such that the support member and thefirst and second ends include top, bottom and side surfaces and at leastone of the first and second ends is angled outwardly in relation to thesupport member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first legsecuring bar: (i) is disposed on the support member proximately to wherethe second end is joined to the support member; (ii) extends outwardlyfrom each side surface of the support member in opposite directions; and(iii) includes opposite free ends and has mounted on the opposite freeends thereof a pair of foam or vinyl pads each having a central borethat operates to receive the first leg securing bar therein.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein the second leg securing bar: (i) isdisposed on a lower portion of the second end; (ii) extends outwardlyfrom each side of the second end in opposite directions; and (iii)includes opposite free ends and has mounted on the opposite free endsthereof a pair of foam or vinyl pads each having a central bore thatoperates to receive the second leg securing bar therein.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of: (i) the first legsecuring bar is permanently affixed to the support member in thepredetermined first location; and (ii) the second leg securing baroperates to be freely slideably engaged with the second end of the framewhen no lateral force or pressure is applied thereto and operates to beretained in the predetermined second location when a lateral force orpressure is applied by the one or more legs of the user.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein: (i) the second end includes a telescopingmember extending substantially collinearly therefrom, the telescopingmember having a member extending substantially transverse therefrom suchthat the telescoping member and the substantially transverse member aresubstantially L-shaped or substantially T-shaped; and (ii) thetelescoping member is sized and shaped to fit into the tubular secondend and the tubular second end operates to telescope over thetelescoping member as the telescoping member slides into the tubularsecond end, thereby decreasing a height of the frame, and out of thetubular second end, thereby increasing the height of the frame.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the height of the frame is adjustable todispose a center of gravity of the user of the apparatus inwardly of thefirst end such that the second end of the apparatus will remain on thefloor during the exercise routine(s) of the user.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein: (i) the height of the frame and/or a height of theapparatus is at least: about 15 inches; 15 inches-about 17⅝ inches;about 17⅝ inches; and (ii) a length of the frame and/or a length of theapparatus is at least: about 28⅞ inches; about 28⅞ inches-about 40¼inches; about 40¼ inches.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thetelescoping member and the tubular second end operate to be releasablycoupled together and/or disengaged with an engaging pin being disposedin and/or removed from at least one hole of the telescoping member andat least one hole of the second end when the at least one holes arealigned and the pin extends into and/or is removed from an internal boreof the second end of the tubular frame and an internal bore of thetelescoping member.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising ahandle locking mechanism disposed on the telescoping second end, thehandle locking mechanism having a handle pivotally attached to a pair ofmounting posts extending substantially perpendicularly from thetelescoping second end and to a pin extending between the mountingposts, the pin operating to couple the handle to the mounting posts andto a spring that operates to bias a first end of the handle away from,and a second end of the handle towards, the telescoping second end suchthat a locking pin disposed on, and extending substantiallyperpendicularly from, the second end of the handle is similarly biasedtowards the telescoping second end of the frame and operates toselectively engage one of a plurality of spaced apart holes collinearlypositioned along a surface of the telescoping member and an engagementhole of the telescoping second end of the frame, wherein the handlelocking mechanism operates to couple the telescoping second end of theframe with the telescoping member, thereby limiting extension and/orretraction of the telescoping member when the locking pin is engagedwith the one of the plurality of holes and the engagement hole of thetelescoping second end of the frame, and to decouple the telescopingmember and the telescoping second end of the frame when a downwardpressure is applied to the first end of the handle to overcome the forceof the spring and to remove the locking pin from the engagement hole ofthe telescoping second end of the frame and the one of the plurality ofholes of the telescoping member.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe first leg securing bar operates to be slideably adjustable along atrack portion of the support member and the second leg securing baroperates to be slideably adjustable along a second track portion of thetelescoping member, the track portion of the support member being formedalong the length of the support member and having at least one hole inthe support member and the second track portion of the telescopingmember being formed along the length of the telescoping member andhaving at least one hole in the telescoping member.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein: (i) the first and second leg securing bars are eachaffixed to respective adjustment brackets each having a spacetherethrough and a central bore therein, the adjustment bracket of thefirst leg securing bar operating to receive the support member thereinand to be slideably engaged with the track portion of the supportmember, the adjustment bracket of the second leg securing bar operatingto receive the telescoping member therein and to be slideably engagedwith the second track portion of the telescoping member; (ii) the firstleg securing bar and the track portion of the support member operate tobe releasably coupled together and/or disengaged with an engaging pinbeing disposed in and/or removed from the at least one hole of the trackportion and the central bore of the adjustment bracket of the first legsecuring bar such that the pin extends into and/or is removed from aninternal bore of the support member of the tubular frame; and (iii) thesecond leg securing bar and the second track portion of the telescopingmember operate to be releasably coupled together and/or disengaged withanother engaging pin being disposed in and/or removed from the at leastone hole of the second track portion and the central bore of theadjustment bracket of the second leg securing bar such that the pinextends into and/or is removed from an internal bore of the telescopingmember.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a seatdisposed on the support member such that the seat operates to supportthe user of the apparatus.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theseat is affixed to an adjustment bracket having a space therethrough forreceiving the support member and being slideably engaged with the trackportion of the support member, the adjustment bracket having a centralbore therein, wherein the seat and the track portion operate to bereleasably coupled together and/or disengaged from each other with anengaging pin being disposed in and/or removed from the at least one holeof the track portion and the central bore of the adjustment bracket suchthat the pin extends into and/or is removed from an internal bore of thesupport member of the tubular frame.
 18. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the first end of the frame is shorter in length than the secondend of the frame and the first and second ends of the frame areangulated such that the support member is oriented in a slightlydeclined manner in a direction from the second end of the frame to thefirst end of the frame.
 19. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprisinga seat disposed on the support member such that the seat operates tosupport the user of the apparatus.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein the seat is affixed to an adjustment bracket having a spacetherethrough for receiving the support member and being slideablyengaged with a track portion of the support member, the track portion ofthe support member being formed along the length of the support memberand having at least one hole in the support member, the adjustmentbracket having a central bore therein, wherein the seat and the trackportion operate to be releasably coupled together and/or disengaged fromeach other with an engaging pin being disposed in and/or removed fromthe at least one hole of the track portion and the central bore of theadjustment bracket such that the pin extends into and/or is removed froman internal bore of the support member of the tubular frame.